By: Brian Eng
On: Jan. 29, 2010
School4Civics training program aims to increase participation by diverse communities in Toronto politics

Application deadline: February 16
Program dates: March 6 to June 5

Get more infomation and apply today

School4Civics is a program aimed at training and mentoring promising leaders from diverse communities to organize political campaigns or run for office.  Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Nov. 16, 2009
Communities Speak – Report on the Community Consultations for the Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy

The Housing Network of Ontario released a powerful and comprehensive report on the community consultations for a Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy in Ontario.  This report consolidates recommendations made by many hundreds of Ontarians who participated in almost 40 community meetings and consultations focussed on developing an affordable housing strategy, held from June to November 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Oct. 6, 2009
Vital Signs Report released: Toronto’s great if you can afford it

The Toronto Community Foundation released its Vital Signs 2009 report. It is a comprehensive release that basically says that Toronto is a very desirable city to live in if you can afford it.

Some key issues that are highlighted in the report include:

Toronto is rated “seriously unaffordable”, ranking 190th internationally, and 29th in Canada, with median housing prices 4.8 times median household incomes.

And we are in a country that ranks last among 14 western nations in spending on early learning, childcare, and kindergarten programs. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: May. 20, 2009
Housing Opportunities Toronto road map shows long, slow, uphill journey

The Housing Opportunites Toronto 10 year plan is an important first step in developing long-term solutions to deal with issues of housing and homelessness.  All levels of government need to create national, provincial and local housing strategies. HOT is a valuable attempt by government to address this pressing need for comprehensive, multi-sectoral solutions. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Apr. 3, 2009
Expanded TTC: Will everybody be able to get on board?

The nine billion dollars in transit funding recently announced by the province of Ontario and city of Toronto is definitely good news. An effective public transit system is a vitally important social and economic resource allowing people to shop, get to work, and lead active social lives. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Mar. 3, 2009
Put Food in the Budget

Fighting poverty is the best medicine money can buy according to the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa).  They partnering with the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction in an Ontario-wide campaign to urge the Ontario government Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Sep. 19, 2008
Government Announces Downpayment on Affordable Housing

On September 17, the government announced that were going to continue funding the Homelessness Partnering Initiative, the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and the Affordable Housing Initiative.  The total commitment is for 1.9 billion dollars over the next five years.

This sounds impressive.  However, 350 million dollars per year spread across the entire country will barely maintain the status quo.  Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Jul. 30, 2008
Globe and Mail supports government spending

It is refreshing to see that Canada’s national newspaper supports government spending in infrastructure and community services as a way making sure that we are competitive in our ability to attract business investment.  Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: May. 5, 2008
Listen to the poor

The following editorial from the Toronto Star of Sunday, May 4 about says it all:

Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews has begun the process of consulting with communities about how to reduce poverty in this province. But already anti-poverty groups are raising concerns about how she is going about it. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Brian Eng
On: Apr. 4, 2008
Countdown to a Poverty Reduction Plan

April 14, 2008
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

MacDonald Block
900 Bay Street, Toronto

25 in 5: Network for Poverty Reduction is hosting a day-long froum on April 14 to build momentum for Ontario’s poverty reduction plan.  Read the rest of this entry »